Game-counter.



PATENTED AUG. 28, 1906. W. J. PRATT.

GAME COUNTER.

APPLIGATION FILED Nov.zo. 1903.

.nl f.millIIIIIIIHIHUIIIIWIIHHIIIHHIIIIII Wil-11mm :Il IIIIIIII THE Nofzms PErsRs ca., wAsmNcroN, n. c.

'nnrrnn sTATns PATENT enrich.

WALTER J. PRATT, OF NEV YORK, N. Y., ASSIGNOR TO PLAYING OARD REGISTER COMPANY, A CORPORATION OF NEW YORK.

GAME-COUNTER.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Aug. 28, 1906.

T0 @ZZ whom, it may concern.-

Be it known that I, VALTER J. PRATT, a citizen of the United States, residing in the city, county, and State of New York, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Game-Counters, of which the following is a specification.

The present invention relates to gamecounters, and has for its more prominent object a simple and convenient construction whereby the tally of a definite number of points can be readily indicated on one register and a total tally automatically indicated by a second register properly geared and actuated from 'that first mentioned.

Provision is made whereby the arrangement of primary and total registers is duplicated to provide registering means for opposing players or sides, the duplication being compactly presented in a single device and in a manner conducing to the convenient manipulation of the respective primaryv registers when the counter occupies a position on the table, and particularly when adjacent to one of the corners thereof.

A novel covered receptacle for the accommodation of a pack of playing-cards is combined with the device, while capacity for conditioning the register-dials to specially adapt them for different styles of games is also a feature.

The structural feature of the body of the counter and the relation of parts comprising said body with respect to the register-gearing represent improvements in this line of devices.

There are other novel features connected with the counter, which, in addition to those alluded to, are clearly set forth in the subsequent detailed description.

In the accompanying drawings, forming part of this specification, Figure l is a plan view of a game-counter embodying my invention. Fig. 2 is a detail transverse section through the registering mechanism at one end of the counter, the parts being represented on a somewhat larger scale and the section being in the plane indicated by the broken line 2 2, Fig. 1. Fig. 3 is another detail section, but on a still larger scale, the section being indicated by the broken line 3 3, Fig. 1. Fig. 4 is a horizontal sectional view through the card-receptacle, the section being in the plane indicated by the broken line 4 4, Fig.l 2.

Fig. 5 is another section of said receptacle, the section being in the plane indicated by the broken line 5 5, Fig. l. Fig. 6 is a perspective view of one of the interchangeable dials, the edges of the split portion of said dial being represented as slightly separated to facilitate its adjustment and removal. Fig. 7 is a vertical detail sectional view of one of the primary registers and illustrating a modification. Fig. 8 is a similar sectional view disclosing a modification of the body structure. Fig. 9 is a detail sectional view illustrating one manner of securing the rubber feet or cushions to the base. i.

Similar reference characters are employed to designate corresponding parts in the several figures of the drawings wherein they occur.

As generally disclosed in Figs. 1, 2, and 3, the novel counter comprises a comparatively flat body of approximately rectangular contour. One manner of constructing this body comprehends the employment of two sheetmetal sections A and B, each properly shaped by stamping or pressing the same from a blank, the section A constituting the base or lower part of the body and presenting an elevated platform a of comparatively extended surface area, a depending rim a and lower horizontal iiange a2 being integrally at the platform-margin at the several sides and corners ofthe latter.

The section B, which forms the top of the body, is shaped to present the somewhat vertically extended marginal flange l), designed. to snugly embrace at its lower ortion the vertical ledge presented by the rim a of the section A. Such rim and embracing portion of the section B may be positively secured together by any suitable means-as, for instance, by soldering or riveting.

In the operation of producing the section B I cause the same to be provided contiguous to each end with a pair of depressions, the depressions of each pair being relatively transversely disposed and of circular contour, as indicated most clearly in Fig. 1. The four several depressions thus made are designated by the reference characters B B2 B3 B4, respectively.

As will be seen by reference more particularly to Figs. 2 and 3, each of the depressions involves an annular vertical wall bx and bot-1` tom b, the latter being centrally perforated.

for the bearing of a short vertical arbor C, the upper extremity of which projects a short distance above said bottom. The lower end c of said arbor is shouldered and headed to permit it to retain a proper bearing in the platform a, the arrangement being such. that such arbor can have a free revolving movement in its bearings both in the bottom b and in said platform.

Keyed on the arbor C immediately beneath the bottom b is a small .gear-pinion C, the teeth of which are nine in number for a purpose that will hereinafter appear. integral with the lower portion of this pinion is a bevele'd pinion C2, which is in mesh with a beveled pinion C"I on the inner end of a horizontal rod or stem C4, disposed within the chamber' presented by the sections A B and. with its outer end portion extending through the vertical wall b of the section B and having secured on the extremity thereof a milled operating-head C5. It will be observed by reference to Fig. l that the rod C5 projects and carries its milled head at one end of the body instead of at one of the sidesthereof. By referring to Fig. 3 it will be seen that the outer bearing for the rod C is provided in the wall Z), while the inner bearing for said rod is secured in a vertical tongue a3, formed by appropriately slitting the metal of the platform a. and bending upward the tongue so formed, so that the inner end of said rod will be supported in an opening` therein, said tongue serving the further purpose of maintaining the pinion C in proper engagement with the pinion C2.

Upon the bottom of the depression b is a dial D, which may be of paper or other suitable material and which is of such circular form as to insure its bearing intimately against the inner surface of the annular wall Z) of the depression. This dial has on its upper surface an annular series of numerals and intermediate graduations which, as shown in Fig. 1, range from 0 to 99,- respectively. Of course the dial is centrally perforated for the passage-of the upper' portion of the arbor C, upon the projecting part of which and above the dial is secured the butt of the index or pointer E, adapted to circularly sweep in a path above the dial as said arbor rotates.

Snugly and frictionally Vlitting within the depression B is a metal bezel of the crosssectional shape most clearly indicated. in Figs. 2 and 3 and embodying a vertical annular rim f and inner horizontal flange j", the rim being of such height that the flange is maintained in substantially the same horizontal plane` the top surface of the section B. rihis bezel is designed to retain in position a dislr G, of transparent celluloid or other similarly-conditioned material, adapted for forniing a panel through which to observe the dial relation of the pointer.

interposed between the platform a and the bottom of the depression B2 is a gear-wheel H, whose teeth are ninety in number, such gear-wheel being keyed on a small arbor l'l, the lower end o'fwvliich revolubly bears in the platform (L, while the `upper end projects for a considerable distance above the bottom b2 of said depression for connection therewith of an index I. Similarly as in the manner of the depression B the depression B"2 contains a dial J and bezel K, the latter conlining and retaining a transparent panel L. The numerical characters and divisions on the dial J, as will be seen, range from 0 to Q99, respectively. interposed between the pinion C and the gear-wheel Il is a gear-wheel M, having a journal m revolubly bearing in the platform a., said gear-wheel M being ol' a diameter and having teeth in number corresponding with the wheel H. This wheel lil, as will be clearly seen in Fig. 2, meshes both with the pinion C/ and with the pinion H, the arrangement being such that when said piuion has been revolved to an extent sullicicnt to carry its index E completely around its dial the wheel H will have been rotated and its index or pointer moved to an extent corresponding with 100.

By reference to Fig. 1 it will be observed that the rod C, operating the gearing of the primary register B at the other end of the machine, as well as said register, is diagonally located with respect to the primary register B and its opera ting-stem, and it will be comprehended that said primary register B3 and its companion total-register l '1 are equipped with gearing, dials, and other appurtenances in all respects similar to the primary and total registers at the other end of the body.

lt will therefore be readily appreciated that with the improved counter constructed as thus far described the same may occupy a position near one corner upon the table on which. the game is played, so that the operating-heads C5 C7 will be convenient for manipulation at opposite ends of the body b v contiguously-seated players. lf the vtable is small and only two players are engaged in the play, the counter can be positioned for convenient manipulati.on by persons seated opposite each other. lf the game be one in which partners are engaged, the customary alternate positions of the partners will periui t the counter' to occupy a location readily accessible to two opposing partners.

As illustrated in Fig. l, the dials are conditioned for service in connection with the game of pinoehle, where the count involves the registering of numbers of considerable value and where it is desirable that the capacity of the primary register should be supplemented by that of the secondary for indicating quick totals` It may be stated, however, that the counter can be readily equipped to serve in connection with other IOO IOS

TIO

` plication of the dial-disks.

aaeos' styles of games. This may be providedby arranging for the convenient remova'l and ap- One manner of accomplishing this is represented in Fig. 6, wherein the disk D is shown as having a radial slit extending from the central opening d to the periphery thereof. This provides a divided portion the edges d d2 of which can normally lie in mutual contact, so that the integrity of the dial-surface will be maintained. /Vhen it is desired to apply this dial, it will only be necessary to slightly separate such edge portions, as illustrated in F ig` 6, whereupon the dial can be slightly turned to cause the index to pass laterally through the slit opening to a position below the dial and the latter then raised and withdrawn. It is not necessary, however, that the divided edges of the dial should normally mutually abut, as a dial having a radial slot of the requisite width will practically serve all purposes and yet in no way interfere with the proper disposition of numerals and graduations thereon.

When it is desired to make any change in the matter of dials, the bezel F of each depression can be removed, which can be accomplished by inserting a thin edge or point between the same and the wall of its depression, whereupon the same and its transparent panel will be dislodged. The substitution and adjustment of the dial can then ensue, as previously explained.

With a view of facilitating the removal and adjustment of each bezel I prefer to make the same of spring metal possessing such resiliency that while providing a sufficient yield to permit its disengagement it will, on the other hand, have the requisite strength to enable its rim f to positively and intimately bear in engagement with the inner surface of its depression-wall.

The formation of the body by means of the two sheet-metal sections A and B, as heretofore described, not only provides for the convenient and efficient location of the various depressions, but these latter are of such character and the gearing within the chamber formed by the sections A and B so condi tioned that the depressions bear upon upper portions of the gearing and serve to maintain the same in position, the relation of the parts being such, however, that the bearing is a mildly frictional one, and therefore while permitting the rotation of the several wheels and pinions under the power imposed by re' volving the heads yet exerts sufficient retardation to insure the retention of the wheels with accuracy in the positions and to the extents they are turned by hand.

To prevent defacement of the table or other surface upon which the counter rests and to also avoid noise that might be occasioned by moving theucounter, I locate at each corner of the body a lower rest or cushion N, of rubber or equivalent yielding mate rial. As shown, these rests or cushions each comprise a lower rounded portion n, integrally provided with a neck n of considerable diameter and having an upper shallow head n2, the height of the neck being substantially equal to the thickness of the fiange a2 with which the cushion or rest is to be connected, the connection of the rest being accomplished by passing the shallow head n2 through an appropriately-sized opening in said flange, so that said head will expand immediately above the iiange, and thus retain the rest in engagement therewith, with the neck fn snugly occupying said opening.

With a view of increasing the usefulness and serviceability of the counter I secure upon the upper surface of the section B, transversely parallel between the two sets of registers, a pair of vertical Walls O O, which are of such size that they will snugly receive between them an ordinary deck of cards, the end edges of the latter lying Hush or inside of the top and end edges of said walls. ing or cover I), of Celluloid, aluminium, or other light and attractive material and embodying sides and end walls, as well as a closed top p, is adapted to be placed over said walls, so as to snugly inclose the same and the deck of cards between. Now by removing the cover the deck of cards may be readily dislodged by simply pressing against the deck at one end, so as to force the cards from between the walls of the other end.

While I have described the sections A B as being stamped or pressed from blanks of sheet metal, it will be understood that I may employ other material with satisfactory results. Thus, for instance, thesections may be formed or molded of papier-mache or other composition adapted for the purpose, and in the event of employing metal I do not intend to restrict myself to any particular' kind. If made from sheet metal-as, for instance, tin-the exposed surfaces may be japanned or lacquered to impart an attractive and ornamental finish.

It may be preferable to make the body with an upper pressed or molded section, the lower section being of wood. In Fig. S I have outlined such an arrangement, B5 designating the upper molded section, the vertical marginal flange b3 of which embraces and intimately bears against the vertical marginal shoulder a4 of the base A', the latter being of wood, and to which the flange is secured through the medium of securing-screws b4.

In lieu of the beveled gearing and extended rods and heads other means may be employed for actuating the primary registers. Thus in Fig. 7 I have represented a vertical arbor CS as having the pinion Cn secured thereto beneath the bottom if of the depression with vwhich it is related, said arbor extending above said bottom and having the index-fmger E A hous- IOC mitting the proper substitution of the dial.

It Will be recognized from the foregoing description that a game-counter embodying my invention is not only comparatively simple and inexpensive, but ot highly ornamental character and capable oi a i Tide range of serviceability, including accurate registration of the score or tally pertaining to various games. The features already described. may be supplemented and the usefulness oi the counter enhanced by making the body of su'tiicient plan area to permit of the location in the top of additional depressions capable of serving for the reception oi matches, tobacco-ashes, and for other' purposes.

The stamped character ot the sections A B and the simple 'form ol the gearing and other appurtenances adapt the parts of which the counter is composed. to be readily assembled by comparatively unskilled labor.

l do not Wish to be understood as limiting myself to the particular arrangement and construction of parts shown and described,.

but reserve the right to all modifications that may be 'fairly considered Within the scope of my invention.

Having now described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

l. rlhe combination in a game-counter, ot a body comprising a base and a top section in joined relation to form an intermediate space, the top section embodying an upper horizontal portion having a depression depending Within said space, an arbor revolubly mounted to project above the bottom ol said depression and carrying a suitable indexpointer, a dial on the depression-bottom, a bezel vfor the depression, a transparent panel confined by the bezel, and means for operating the index-pointer.

2. The combination in a gaine-counter, ol" a body comprising a base and a section in joined relation to form an intermediate space, the top section embodying an upper horizontal portion having a depression depending within said space, an arbor revolubly mounted to project above the bottom of the depression. and carrying a suitable index-pointer, a dial on the depression-bottom, gearing within said intermediate space l'or revolving said arbor, and. gear-operating means.

3. The combination in a game-counter, ot a body comprising base and a top section in joined relation to Alorm an intermediate space, the top section embodying an upperhorizontal portion having an integral part depending Within said intermediate space to form a depression, an arbor revolubly mounted to project above the bottom olI the depression and carrying a suitable index-pointer, a dial on the depression-bottom, a bezel lior the depression, a transparent panel confined by the bezel, gearing within said intermmliate space tor revolving said arbor, and gear-operating means.

4. The combination in a game-counter, ol a body comprising a base and a top section is joined relation to l'orm an intermediate space, the to p section embodying an upper horizontal portion having a companion pair olz depressions, primary and secondarj'f registering dials on the bottoms of said depressions rcspectively, vertical arbors bearing in and projecting above the depression-bottoms and carrying index-pointers, gearing located in the intermediate space and adapted to communicate motion lrom the arbor ot the primary register to the arbor ol the secondary register, and provision for rotating the primary arbor by hand.

The combination ot a game-counter,ol a body comprising base and a top section in joined relation to form an intermed late space, the top section embodying an upper horizontal portion having integral parts depending Within said intern'iediate space to torni a companion pair ot dern'essions, primary and seeondary registering-dials on the bottoms oll said depressions respectively, the primary dial beingremovable, vertical arbors bearing in and projecting above the depression-l)ottoms, and carrying index-prnnters, gearing located in the intermediate space and adapted to communicate motion from the arbor ol" the primary register to the arbor ol' the secondary register, provision lor rotating the primary arbor by hand, a transparent panel tor the primary register, and means for detachably coniining said panel in position.

6. The combination oi a game-counter, ot a body comprising a base and a top section in joined relation to form an intermediate space, the top section embodying an upper horizontal portion having parts depending within said in termcniate space to lorm a plurality ol' de nessions, registering-dials on the bottoms of said depressions, a vertical arbor bearing in and projecting above each depression-bottom and carrying an index pointer, and means lor operating the arbor olI each depression indejmndently oi" the arbor ol" the other depression.

7. The combination in a gaine-counter, ol'A a body comprising a base and a top section in. joined relation to'form an intern'iediate space, the top section embodying an upper horizon- TOC TOS

TIO

TZO

ISO

tal portion having parts depending Within said intermediate space to form a plurality of depressions, registering-dials on the bottoms of said depressions, a vertical arbor bearing'.

in and projecting above each depression-bottom and carrying an index-pointer, separate gearing for each arbor, within the intermediate space, and means for operating the gearing of each harbor independently of the gearing of the other arbor.

A game-counter comprising top and bottom sections, the bottom section having integrally a vertical marginal rib and perforated horizontal flange, and the top section integrally provided with an outer Wall embracing said rim, said top section containing a pair of depressions, primary and secondary dials Within said depressions, primary and secondary arbors projecting Within the latter and carrying index-pointers, gearing for driving the secondary arbor from the ro#- ,name to this specification in the presence of tWo subscribing Witnesses.

WALTER J, PRATT.

Witnesses WILLIAM PAXTEN, H. E. MAHER. 

